Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-20

lOHC OF H1e-WdS so Until he found II
would pay to love an heiresS," said Ada,
glancing st Mr.. Delarme, 10 zee what
effect her words would have On him.
"You shall not be bound like the rest,
butsa special guard will be placed over
you" said the Maj1r. "And," he added,
''you will do me favor by not annoying
Mr.. Paul Malerson with sny remarks-ne
| is suffering enough now"
| "Pocr fellow, how pity himu' said
Ada, mUckinSly. "But, Major - q favor,
to you, will curb my feelings and bride
my tongue; for once I viii be q silent
woman"
"If you car" muttered the Major, with
a half re: 'ressed smile, turning away to
superintend the arrangement OF the other
prisoners. He could not but admire the
GOODNESS and spirit OF the girl.
"You needn't tie me. l will give You
: my word of honor 1 won't offer TO run"
said Malerson, as one Of the Rangers up
preached 20 bind him, as others were DC
ing to the rest.
you'd better give something that sou
have or once had, said the Major. 'iPut
double lashinss on the wretch. He is the
worst devil of the gang"
''Thank you for the compliment. CAM
you let NE have 9 little rum to drink to
your health in?" said Malerson, cOOlly
eli had and thought it would choze
you, you should have it with pleasure"
said the Major.
THANK you again. When | get the
chance 10 choke you restassured that the
will won, be wanting" replied MaIersoD,
bitterly.
"The sHgman will do your choking"
Il l,111
and hate
"Ah, you there, old gentleman? You
and Paul both against me? 1t is hard
when cne's relations won't stand up for
him, nor ever give him drink of rum to
raise his spirits. But never mind, old
fellow, when we get to the plantation the
tables will be turned. ! reckon your old
lady will teach you better than 70 treat
me in this way. If she don't, then spell
my name backward and water my grog!"
All being ready for new start now, the
order was given, and the rangers, with
their captiyes in line ard under strict
guard, headed once more to the east
CHAPTER XLVIII.
When the horse upon which Stella rode
turned at the cry of Lagona, she was
taken so completely by surprise and so
overcome by terror that she was actually
among the Indians before she fully real
lied her position or peril. Had thought
kept its mastery she would nave cast her
self from the horse before it had passed
from the cover of the Rangers rifles, but
thought only came to her when it was TOO
late.
There ives no look of triumph, nor even
one Of anger, upon the face of LagCna
Wheu ne CHECKED her horse and drew il
up by the side OF his oWo, and supported
her, half fainting as she was, nor even an
accent Of displeasure or q word lacking
kindness when he spoke TO her.
"The Great Spirit has sent the White
Flower back TO Lagona," he said with q
proud but mOurnful dignity.
She made no reply. Her heart was too
full OF wild, hopeless grief now for utter
aDce. This las pe-Il, so unlocked for
ald so sudden, took all Of her courage
away.
The chi. Z, as we said before, sent back
4 shout CT triumph and defiance to the
rangers, and then retired & mile or 50
from the position Of the party; and there, /
while Stella was lett under g guard of his
chosen and faYorite braves, be held g
council with his sub-chiefs to decide |!
whether or not they should attack the /
rangers or retire satisfied with the recoy- /
cry Of the prize which their leader valued |
so highly and fer which he had dared and /
suffered so much.
The argument for attack was that the |
and the rangers especially, |
we're their deadly enemies; and their |
;calps, and also their arms, ammunition
and horses would be valuable and de-
'iFable acquisition. The argument
against it was the position which the ran
gers had gained, the deadIiness of their
terrible sixshOoters and, besides, the al
most certainty that if the victory was
With the Indians it would be bought with
IN immense cost OF life. To surprise the
angers WCald now be impossible; they
NEW they no terror could drive them to
could only be conquered
n death.
Some of the most ardent young war
iOrs and braves were for immediate at
ack, without waiting to count the cost;
,ut Lagona and the chiefs WAC had the
most experience advised g contrary
curse. The prize which they sought had
'een given to them, as they argued, by
ne Great Spirit without the loss of 9
Irop Of blood, and to lose many warriors
or the sake of few scalps would be
oolish.
And, opportunely to aiG those who
rgued for 40 attack, the storm came up,
endering it almost impossible and damp ]
ming the eagerness of the oveT-zealOus.
t was decided to take the back track,
I'd soon, II close column, to avoid get ]
ing separated, the whole body wheeled
nd rode back toward their mountain
ONES.
Wrapped in great blankets, and sup r
orted once more in the powerful arms of /
.agona, Stella was borne away with them,
lmost insensible in her utter Wretchtd-
ess. Poor girl il seemed as if death I
My could be the ending Of her many I
erils and trials. !
CHAPTER xL-z. 1T
Vastly different did MCCullOugh's ran :
ers look upon their return to La BOlsa I
e Flores from the appearance they ex- !
ibited when, full of hope, and eagerness, I
hey mad dashed aWey from tie same
lace few days before, on the trail Of
be vile abductors of Stella Delorme. I
hey had ridden over many leagues of l
round with scarcely any rest, hardly t
aking time to eat food enough to sustain '
heir strength. Their horses, like them c
elves, were nearly worn out, and they {
1ere glad once more 20 get Wnere their :
ID faVorites, refreshed with long rest, 9
7ere again ready fer the saddle. {
The return to the plantation was pleas
Ut to them, but pCGr Mr.. DelOrIne and I
aul, coming back as they did without I
teIla, were more wretched, even more 8
liseTgble, than they had been wren they I
,ant aUqv EyPTythjnp thew sey only